Priority Seats
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Mar 5, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. MTR TRAIN CAR - DAY
In a black suit , a tired PETER appears with other PASSENGERS. Standing, he begins to check is phone messages, WOMAN#1 (40s) offers her seat to Peter.
PETER: Oh, Thank you. I'll get off at the next station.
WOMAN#1: Next station?
After some hesitation, Woman#1 retakes her seat.
PETER (V.O.): She can tell I'm eligible. Offering her seat to the needy must be one of her top priorities.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I've changed my mind. I'll get off after two stops...
Peter gets close to the door.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'll see if I can make myself out of her sight. I don't want to offend her.
Discreetly, Peter gets off when the train door opens again.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. MTR TRAIN CAR - DAY (2019)
Woman#2 with a baggage offers her seat to Peter.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.): She's a mainland Chinese tourist. Back then, I dyed my hair.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We're still in touch via WeChat.
EXT. MTR TRAIN CAR - ANOTHER DAY
Getting on board, Peter sees one vacant priority seat.
PETER (V.O.): Should I take it?
But WOMAN#3 in a blue denim jacket takes it to sit next to WOMAN#4 in a black cardigan, who is occupying a priority seat.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They look and sound like students. They've their own priorities.
Peter stands in front of a young MAN sitting in a non-priority seat, playing video games.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He has his priority too.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He might think that as he isn't occupying a priority seat, he needs not offer his.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And if non-pregnant young women are taking priority seats, why should be bother to give up his.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Or, they've decided for me that standing is good for me...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even at my age now, I won't take a priority seat unless I'm pretty tired.
Woman#3 chats with Woman#4 endlessly.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know it isn't against the law for the young, able persons and non-pregnant women to take priority seats.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I believe social mores expect them not to do so.
Peter takes a snapshot of them.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know they'd continue to ignore my existence.
As the train arrives in the next station, Peter sees Woman#3 getting off and leaving one priority seat vacant.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although the next station is the last station, I'd take the priority seat.
Swiftly, Peter sits between the Man and Woman#4.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They can't ignore me now. I want them to know I need a priority seat.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If they aren't used to good cultural practice, it's time for them to learn experientially.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Would they get it?
While the Man continues to play video games, Woman#4 takes out a book to read.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It'd take a minute or two for the train to arrive at the last station. Are they really attentive to their activities?
The train arrives at the last stop.
Act 3
EXT. MTR STATION - LATER
Waiting at another platform, Peter looks around.
PETER (V.O.): They're out of my sight.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even if they wait for the same train as mine, I don't think they'd like to be in my company.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): May be I'm just too naive to think that my action would have any impact on them.
EXT. MTR TRAIN CAR - LATER
Taking a non-priority seat, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): I won't condone such ungracious omissions. I'll tell the story, today.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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